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Hyaloscypha finlandica
A colony of Hyaloscypha finlandica PMI_746 grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Photo credits: Alejandro Rojas

PMI_746 Hyaloscypha finlandica (syn. Cadophora finlandica)

In the “1KFG: Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya“ project (CSP1974), we aim to sequence additional sampling of genomic diversity within keystone lineages of plant-interacting fungi and saprophytic fungi that are of special ecological importance for understanding terrestrial ecosystems. In addition, comparative genome analysis with saprotrophic, mycorrhizal and pathogenic fungi will provide new insights into the specific and conserved adaptations associated with each fungal lifestyle.

Hyaloscypha (syn. Cadophora) finlandica is an ascomycete fungus that belongs to the Helotiales. The Helotiales is a diverse group of fungi that contains many undescribed or recently recognized fungi. Many of these fungi are part of the Rhizoscyphus ericae aggregate, and these fungi are characterized by the formation of ericoid mycorrhizae with various ericaceous plants. Among other life-styles described in the group, some fungi have been found as root endophytes, bryophilous fungi, and ectomycorrhizae. Lately they been observed in association with plants of the Betulaceae, Pinaceae, and Salicaceae.  Hyaloscypha finlandica PMI_746 was isolated from Populus roots as an endophyte. The colonies on modified Melin-Norkrans medium are dark mycelia and the fungus is a slow grower taking up to 28 days to grow up to 20 mm. It is a member of the dark septate endophyte (DSE) group, which has been studied and identified from multiple hosts and diverse environments. For instance, polluted soils with cadmium, lead, and zinc are habitats where this fungus has been found in association with plants, suggesting a potential role and tolerance in these environments.

This work is supported by the Genomic Science Program (U.S. Department of Energy) Plant Microbe Interfaces (PMI) Scientific Focus Area (http://pmi.ornl.gov) and by the Joint Genome Institute (U.S. Department of Energy) through their Community Sequencing Program (CSP 1974, 1KFG: Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya, F. Martin PI).

References

Bonito, G., Hameed, K., Ventura, R. & Krishnan, J. Isolating a functionally relevant guild of fungi from the root microbiome of Populus. Fungal Ecology (2016).

Fehrer, J., Réblová, M., Bambasová, V., & Vohník, M. (2019). The root-symbiotic Rhizoscyphus ericae aggregate and Hyaloscypha (Leotiomycetes) are congeneric: phylogenetic and experimental evidence. Studies in mycology, 92, 195-225.

Gorfer, M., Persak, H., Berger, H., Brynda, S., Bandian, D., & Strauss, J. (2009). Identification of heavy metal regulated genes from the root associated ascomycete Cadophora finlandica using a genomic microarray. Mycological research, 113(12), 1377-1388.

Vohník M, Sadowsky JJ, Kohout P, Lhotáková Z, Nestby R, et al. (2012) Novel Root-Fungus Symbiosis in Ericaceae: Sheathed Ericoid Mycorrhiza Formed by a Hitherto Undescribed Basidiomycete with Affinities to Trechisporales. PLOS ONE 7(6): e39524. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0039524